Tuesday, February 1, 2011

In a couple weeks I will have been married for eight months, but I still haven't changed my name.

And no, it's not because I'm having second thoughts or an identity crisis or anything, it's because of the delays at the California DMV!

Late last year California came out with a new driver's license, with more security features, which is causing huge delays for anyone trying to get a new license. Although according to their website, the delay is only supposed to be 4-6 weeks.

However, my husband was supposed to receive a new renewed license the first week of November, and still hasn't gotten it. So he's had to deal with the pain of bringing his passport with him when flying and going out to bars, and it's been just a huge PITA.

Considering that a name change (well, hyphenation, in my case) is a much bigger deal than just a renewal, I've decided to hold off on starting the name change process, at least until my husband gets his new license. In California, everything has to be done in a certain order when changing your name, so I won't be able to change it with most places until I have my new name on my license. And, to make matters worse, we've got plane tickets already booked for a trip in March with my old last name, and will soon be booking flights for another trip in April.

It is going to be such a huge pain to change my name anyway, but when you add the crazy DMV delays in there, it's just ridiculous! This is almost making me reconsider this whole name change, so I don't have to deal with the hassle. Almost!

Who else is not a fan of the DMV? Did anyone else recently go through the newly-married-last-name-change?

Since we both weren't changing our last name, we both just kept our own and it has been wonderful! Someone once told me I'd have to get a new passport if I changed my name (even to just add his last name to mine) and I freaked out!

I got my new license without too much delay, but my main problem is that the new license is flimsy and looks fake! The first time I tried to use it at a bar, the bouncer looked at it for, like, 10 minutes before he grudgingly said, "Well, I guess I'm going to accept it." Thanks, California DMV!

Hate the DMV. Hate. I managed to get most everything changed the week after we got back from our honeymoon last year, but it was a huge PITA and there are still a bunch of things that are in my "old" name that I've been too lazy to change. Good luck with the hyphenation, once you decided to jump in to the "fun" process!

Been there done that. We did it in Florida recently, which doesn't have the delays that you are experiencing in California, but it still wasn't as painless as it should have been. Once we got married, we got the Mr. a Florida ID so that he could change his state of residency. They got mad at me for not having a power or water bill with my address on it. I had moved back in with my parents, so didn't have utility bills! The other issue, once it was time to change mine, was just jumping through all the hoops. Thankfully I was due up for a renewal license anyways, so it was easier to change the name in conjunction with the renewal. (Worked out the same for my car registration too!) Good luck!

I am so sorry it is such a mess for you- that is horrible!! Shows me I definately should not have been impatient sitting at the DMV in TN for 2 hours and leaving with my new license! I had no clue I was so lucky!

I changed my name and applied for a new card in early October, received it in early November. Husband applied on the same day as me and received his in DECEMBER! So yeah, they are backed up and it's gonna take a while. Smart move! (I still need to change my passport but I don't wanna pay $100...)

*raises hand* I applied for my name-change license in november, and still haven't received it. to make matters worse, my temp license expired last week too! I do not want to stand in that stupid line just for another temp. *vent*

I HATE the DMV and I waited almost an hour to realize that they now mail you your new license. I had no idea! So aggravating, luckily, I had mine in about two weeks. Sorry your hubs is still waiting, that stinks.

It was super easy here in Indy. I just went to Social Security then to the BMV (what they call it here) a few days later. This just adds to the list of reasons I don't like Cali (no offense!) I hope your hubby gets his soon and that it doesn't look fake like commenter Laura's!

*raises hand* I applied for my name-change license in november, and still haven't received it. to make matters worse, my temp license expired last week too! I do not want to stand in that stupid line just for another temp. *vent*

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I have a deep love for shoes, anything with garlic on it, and all things DIY. Just a West Coast 30-something adjusting to life in the South with my husband and 3 kitties. To pay the bills I'm a marketing communications professional, but my true love is crafting and working on decor projects. And now that we are homeowners, I love taking on bigger renovation projects side-by-side with my husband, as we strive to make our new house a home.